APNow that 49ers coach Jim Harbaugh has announced that quarterback Alex Smith no longer is the starter and Colin Kaepernick no longer is the backup, the question becomes whether the other 51 players will support the move.
One of the team’s defensive leaders does.
Safety Donte Whitner, who let the cat out of the bag last Friday that Kaepernick would start against the Saints, summed the situation up succinctly on Wednesday’s Pro Football Talk.
“Coach made a decision and we’re gonna roll with it,” Whitner told Erik Kuselias.
If he were Smith, Whitner “probably would feel maybe a little slighted.” But Whitner said that Kaepernick is “very athletic, he’s in here every day early, [and] he’s the last guy out.”
The veteran safety had some other interesting comments, including whether he prefers a pick-six to a big hit, how he knew that the Week 10 game against the Rams could end in a tie, who he would name the team’s defensive MVP, and the extent to which he’s aware of guys using Adderall.
Channel Finder
The 49ers are vastly overrated. One and done in the playoffs.
For the first time in his career, Smith wasn’t benched for poor performance. He’s finally shown he’s an NFL QB, re-signed with the team after they tried kicking him out for Manning, and now this.
I hope he requests out of San Fran if he doesn’t get his job back.
Donte laying it out. Harbaugh is using up some of the equity he’s built up with the veterans on the team and now Kaepernick has to validate the faith Coach has in him.
Dunno what the big deal about Alex Smith losing his job is? He lost it twice before! Once to JT O’Sullivan then lost it again to Shaun Hill. Nothing new ’round these parts
Whitner was a great pick up and fits well with this defense..Bills fans bashed him but hes been nothing but a grat player and leader in Frisco.
Maybe it’s because it’s 1:50 in the morning right now, but I have no idea what the hell Whitner is saying. He “probably would feel maybe a little slighted”? Wha? Who is he even referring to, himself or Kaepernick?
One second he is saying “we’re gonna roll with it,” and it sounds like he is either indifferent or maybe even on Smith’s side, then he makes the “slighted” comment. I’m confused. And tired.
Class Act.
every guy is always the last guy out.
This is all about money. Smith is just not good enough to justify paying all that money to and taking the cap hit when you have a rookie that is just as good. If it works out, Smith is gone next year, if not they just go back to him.
thereisfootballwestofjersey says:
Dunno what the big deal about Alex Smith losing his job is? He lost it twice before! Once to JT O’Sullivan then lost it again to Shaun Hill. Nothing new ’round these parts
dont fotget troy smith replaced alex smith also. i’ll be glad when smith is gone. tired of his 3 n outs and horrible red zone offense.